In speeches from Des Moines to Dallas, Romney has always been careful to hedge his tough digs at Obama with a civil nod toward the president’s moral character: “He’s a nice guy,” the Republican has often said. “He just has no idea how the private economy works.” But Tuesday’s speech included no such hedge — and one campaign adviser said there’s a reason for that.

“[Romney] has said Obama’s a nice fellow, he’s just in over his head,” the adviser said. “But I think the governor himself believes this latest round of attacks that have impugned his integrity and accused him of being a felon go so far beyond that pale that he’s really disappointed. He believes it’s time to vet the president. He really hasn’t been vetted; McCain didn’t do it.”

Campaign advisers told BuzzFeed Romney is now prepared to go on the offensive following the onslaught of sleazy Bain attacks.

Romney surrogates will bring up Obama's cocaine use, Fast and Furious, and ties to Rod Blagojevich, one aide says. http://t.co/WTGfPUol